In Mexico, the love of soccer knows no bounds, spilling onto highway underpasses, canal banks and even the rim of an extinct volcano. Reuters photographer Raquel Cunha spent three months scouting the country from map apps, then launched a drone to capture the contrast between gritty Monterrey, a verdant mountain suburb and a historic canal district.
Unconventional Venues
One of the most striking sites is the crater of the Teoca Volcano, where a modest pitch — dubbed the Field of the Gods — hosts matches that echo across the silent rim. Young Humberto Guadalupe, nicknamed "Messi," dreams of turning that humble field into a professional career.
In Xochimilco, players paddle to their makeshift fields on bright trajineras, turning the waterways into a stage for impromptu games that draw locals and tourists alike. The surrounding canals are home to the endangered axolotl, a fragile salamander whose habitat is threatened by the very fields that bring joy to the community.
Dreams on the Rim
Despite ecological concerns, the spirit of the game remains undiminished. UNESCO has highlighted the cultural significance of these grassroots arenas, noting how they preserve traditions while fostering social cohesion. For many, the pitch is more than a place to play; it is a gathering point where stories are shared and futures are imagined.
Cunha’s photographs, taken with a drone and ground lenses, reveal the stark beauty of these spaces — gritty concrete underpasses beside lush mountain greenery, historic canals reflecting the sky. The images capture not just the games, but the faces of participants, the textures of the terrain, and the quiet resilience of a sport that refuses to be confined by geography.